A device and an assembly for an animal related action

Abstract

A device provided with measuring means for measuring a characteristic of at least a part of the body of a preferably living animal and for issuing a measurement signal, the device being provided with determining means for determining the fat content of at least a part of the body from the measurement signal.

1 . A device for performing a first animal related action, the device being provided with a measuring device for additionally performing the automatic measurement of a characteristic of at least a part of the body of a living animal and for issuing a measurement signal, the device being further provided with a processing device for determining the fat content of at least a part of the body from the measurement signal.  
     
     
         2 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the device comprises a second action device for automatically performing a second animal related action.  
     
     
         3 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the device further comprises an animal recognition device for recognizing individual animals.  
     
     
         4 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the processing device is provided with a memory, the processing device further comprising a data table for determining the fat content by means of the measurement signal and the processing device issuing a fat content signal that is indicative of the determined fat content.  
     
     
         5 . A device as claimed in  claim 4 , characterized in that the data table comprises data per group of animals.  
     
     
         6 . A device as claimed in  claim 4 , characterized in that the data table comprises data per animal.  
     
     
         7 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the processing device comprises a comparing device for comparing a momentary fat content determined from a momentary measurement signal with a historical fat content.  
     
     
         8 . A device as claimed in  claim 4 , characterized in that the device comprises an indicating device for indicating the fat content signal.  
     
     
         9 . A device as claimed in  claim 4 , characterized in that the device comprises a warning device for generating a warning, which warning device can be controlled by the fat content signal.  
     
     
         10 . A device as claimed in  claim 4 , characterized in that the device can be controlled by the fat content signal.  
     
     
         11 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the device comprises a feeding installation for supplying feed.  
     
     
         12 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , the animal being a dairy animal, characterized in that the device comprises an automatic milking machine and the animal related action performed is a milking related action, selected from the group consisting of stimulation, foremilking, pre-cleaning, main milking and post-cleaning.  
     
     
         13 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the measuring device measures substances secreted by the animal as a result of the fatty matter metabolism of the animal.  
     
     
         14 . A device as claimed in  claim 12 , characterized in that the milking machine extracts milk from the dairy animal, and in that the measuring device measures substances secreted by the animal, such substances being milk components, in particular beta-hydroxy butyric acid.  
     
     
         15 . A device as claimed in  claim 14  characterized in that the measuring device measures beta-hydroxy butyric acid.  
     
     
         16 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the measuring device measures an electromagnetic parameter of the animal.  
     
     
         17 . A device as claimed in  claim 15 , characterized in that the measuring device comprises a TOBEC-meter.  
     
     
         18 . A device as claimed in  claim 15 , characterized in that the measuring device comprises an electrical impedance meter.  
     
     
         19 . A device as claimed in  claim 12 , characterized in that the measuring device comprises an impedance meter comprising an udder electrode for contact with the udder of the animal.  
     
     
         20 . A device as claimed in  claim 19 , characterized in that the automatic milking machine is provided with a teat cup and the udder electrode is disposed in or on the teat cup.  
     
     
         21 . A device as claimed in  claim 18 , characterized in that the impedance meter comprises a muzzle electrode for contact with the animal.  
     
     
         22 . A device as claimed in  claim 21 , characterized in that the device comprises a feed trough and the electrode is disposed in or on the feed trough.  
     
     
         23 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the measuring device comprises a profile meter for measuring at least a part of the profile of the animal.  
     
     
         24 . A device as claimed in  claim 23 , characterized in that the profile comprises the profile of the upper side of the animal.  
     
     
         25 . A device as claimed in  claim 23 , characterized in that the profile comprises the profile of the tail portion.  
     
     
         26 . A device as claimed in  claim 23 , characterized in that the profile comprises the profile of the shoulder.  
     
     
         27 . A device as claimed in  claim 23 , characterized in that the profile meter comprises a camera that is connected to a picture-analyzing device.  
     
     
         28 . A device as claimed in  claim 23 , characterized in that the profile meter comprises a contactless telemeter for measuring the distance from the meter to the surface of the animal.  
     
     
         29 . A device as claimed in  claim 28 , characterized in that the telemeter comprises a laser meter.  
     
     
         30 . A device as claimed in  claim 23 , characterized in that the profile meter comprises one or more feeler devices.  
     
     
         31 . A device as claimed in  claim 23 , characterized in that the profile meter comprises a bag to be filled with a fluid, which bag is provided with a fluid measuring device for measuring the surface related contents of the bag.  
     
     
         32 . A device as claimed in  claim 31 , characterized in that the profile meter comprises a stop for keeping the profile meter in a fixed position relative to the body of the animal.  
     
     
         33 . A device as claimed in  claim 31 , characterized in that the fluid measuring device comprises a volume meter.  
     
     
         34 . A device as claimed in  claim 31 , characterized in that the fluid measuring device comprises a flow meter.  
     
     
         35 . A device as claimed in  claim 31 , characterized in that there is provided a heating element in the fluid for keeping the fluid at a constant temperature.  
     
     
         36 . A device as claimed in  claim 31 , characterized in that the fluid is a liquid.  
     
     
         37 . A device as claimed in  claim 23 , characterized in that the profile meter is connected to a following device for following movements of the animal.  
     
     
         38 . A device as claimed in  claim 23 , characterized in that the profile meter is movable relative to the animal.  
     
     
         39 . A device as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the device is in communication with a second device for performing a second animal related action, characterized in that the second device can be controlled by the fat content signal.  
     
     
         40 . A method of feeding a dairy animal comprising the steps of: 
 performing an automatic milking related action on the dairy animal;    determining the fat content of at least a part of the body of the dairy animal while performing the automatic milking related action; and    providing feed to the dairy animal on the basis of the determined fat content.    
     
     
         41 . The method according to  claim 40 , wherein the step of providing feed to the dairy animal takes place during milking of the dairy animal.  
     
     
         42 . The method according to  claim 40  further comprising the step of providing a feed installation and the step of providing feed to the dairy animal takes place at least partially at the feeding installation.  
     
     
         43 . A method of milking a dairy animal comprising the steps of: 
 providing an automatic milking machine for automatically performing a milking related action on the dairy animal;    determining the fat content of at least a part of the body of the dairy animal; and    milking the dairy animal on the basis of the determined fat content.    
     
     
         44 . A profile meter for the measurement of a characteristic of at least a part of the body of a living animal, the meter comprising a bag to be filled with a fluid, the bag being provided with a fluid measuring device in communication with the interior of the bag for measuring an amount of fluid displaced from the bag and for issuing a measurement signal.  
     
     
         45 . A meter as claimed in  claim 44 , characterized in that the profile meter comprises a stop for keeping the profile meter in a fixed position relative to the body of the animal.  
     
     
         46 . A meter as claimed in  claim 44 , characterized in that the fluid measuring device comprises a volume meter.  
     
     
         47 . A meter as claimed in  claim 44 , characterized in that the fluid measuring device comprises a flow meter.  
     
     
         48 . A meter as claimed in  claim 44 , characterized in that there is provided a heating element in the fluid for keeping the fluid at a desired temperature.  
     
     
         49 . A meter as claimed in  claim 44 , characterized in that the fluid is a liquid.  
     
     
         50 . A meter as claimed in  claim 44 , characterized in that the profile meter is connected to a following device for following movements of the animal.  
     
     
         51 . A meter as claimed in  claim 44 , characterized in that the profile meter is movable relative to the animal.  
     
     
         52 . A meter as claimed in  claim 44 , the device being further provided with a processing device for determining the fat content of at least a part of the body from the measurement signal.